The Exiled Queen

Title: The Exiled Queen

Author: Cinda Williams Chima

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Publication Date: September 28, 2010

Hardcover: 586 pages

Summary:

You can't always run from danger...

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen. The Exiled Queen is an epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.

Book Review:

OMG!! I absolutely loved this book! I mean the first book, The Demon King , was good, but this was just...GREAT! I know I'm probably overdoing it, right?! It's just I loved this book soo much. It's hard to describe. I loved the development of the characters. The beginning was kinda lengthy though. I liked how Raisa really grew. She started out kinda annoying and stubborn. Afterwards she was still stubborn, but now she isn't annoying and she is more lovable. I really liked the relationship that Raisa and Hans have. They are perfect for each other. The Exiled Queen is full of love, hardships, and secrets. There was just so much going on. Sometimes it felt overwhelming. I also liked seeing the story from Hans point of view. Sometimes when stories are written from multiple point of views they feel choppy. That so not the case in this one. Cinda William Chima is a talented writer who is amazing at weaving a interesting and entrancing story. I just loved it. I can't wait for the next book, The Gray Wolf Throne. The only bad thing about this book is that it ended! I swear I am gonna die of anticipation before it comes out on September 20, 2010. Is anticipation the right word? If it's not then I don't know what is. 

Rating: A

Excerpt:

You can read more about the Seven Realms series Here and Here.

Han slid his fingers inside his shirt and absently touched the serpent amulet that sizzled against the skin of his chest. Power flowed out of him and into the jinxpiece, relieving the magical pressure that had been building all day.

It had become a habit, this drawing off of power that might otherwise pinwheel out of control. He needed to constantly reassure himself the amulet was still there. Han had become strangely attached to it since he’d stolen it from Micah Bayar.

The magical pendant had once belonged to his ancestor, Alger Waterlow, known by most people as the Demon King. Meanwhile, the Lone Hunter amulet made for him by the Clan Matriarch Elena Demonai languished in his saddlebag.

He should hate the Waterlow jinxpiece. He’d paid for it with Mam’s and Mari’s lives. Some said the amulet was a black magic piece—capable of naught but evil. But it was all he had to show for his nearly seventeen years, save Mari’s charred storybook and Mam’s gold locket. It was all that remained of a season of disaster. 

Seven Realms Series:

The first book in the Seven Realms series.

The third and fourth books in this series do not have covers yet. 

The third book is The Gray Wolf Throne.

The fourth book's title is yet to be determined.

Cinda Williams grew up with talking animals and kick-butt Barbies. She began writing romance novels in junior high school. She has been active in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for more than five years. She lives in Ohio with her family, and is always working on her next novel. Her books consist of the Heir series and the Seven Realms series.